05 Jul Laura: Time to head north … for some

Oklahoma: The weather in Texas caused harvest to last long enough that the kids and I finally had to pull the plug on our time with southern harvest. I typically try to time my trip back home about the same time each season to intercept mail and do whatever else needs to be done at the home or farm. It’s a luxury of living in the middle of the run.

Other crew members had just moved up to our west central stop in Oklahoma. We swung by the field to deliver a late lunch of fast food burgers and shakes since our favorite café is closed on Tuesdays.

When people think of custom harvest, often times, images of machines and hard working teams in the field come to mind. However, that team extends so much further. It often includes the farm families, elevator workers, small town diners and grocers, fuel deliverers, and I could go on and on.

The café, at this particular stop is a favorite for Ryan and I as well as the rest of the crew. This spring, while passing through the area after my grandma’s funeral, we stopped in for lunch. When Judy, the owner, learned the reason for our trip, she surprised us by waiving the cost of the meal. We tried to sneak the amount of the meal onto the waitress’s tip, but we were caught, and they wouldn’t hear of it.

As I mentioned, the crew loves the diner, too, and the staff have gotten to know them over the years since we have many who return for multiple seasons. This year, she sent some cinnamon rolls and leftovers out with the crew. How nice. Some days on the road get long and lonely and it helps to know there are great people at stops along the way.

Back to the original story, I pulled out with my burgers when I got a call from Duane Toews of KFRM 550 who was in the area doing wheat harvest reports. He met us at the field for a quick interview.  Now, we have done several interviews over the years, and it seems I usually have one or two of my kiddos with me. Let’s just say it often turns into a colorful experience behind the scenes because there are limited, quiet places to record. We had a good laugh on this occasion as one of them didn’t understand what I said I had to do and was motioning to us through the window for about half the interview. Yields here were good and averaged around 43 with test weights around 61.

After that we had a nice visit at our farm family’s home. Visiting here is a highlight each season. She allowed the kids to pick carrots from her garden and they’re still talking about the experience and hope to plant some of their own next year.

All too soon, it was time to head north for home. Before we could make it far, we intercepted Farris Brothers Inc. along 183. I will introduce them to you in the next post!

Bonus points if you can name this southern Oklahoma town in the comments.

Turning into the field after a trip to the elevator.

It was a toasty one in Oklahoma.

A heap of golden grain.

Load ‘er up, and head ‘er out.

Loading the truck.

Children, spreading the seeds of weeds since the beginning of time. No, this wasn’t in the field.

Good food and good people.

Little man proudly showing off one of his carrots.

Always fun to visit with Duane Toews.

Laura Haffner can be reached at laura@allaboardharvest.com.

All Aboard Wheat Harvest is sponsored by Case IH, Unverferth Manufacturing Co., Inc., BASF, Oklahoma Baptist Homes for Children, Gleaner, ITC, Westbred, Huskie, Western Equipment, US Custom Harvesters, and High Plains Journal.